how to pull a van out of the mud?

[perelaar]

Got called by a friend yesterday, he got stuck with his (fully loaded) van in a boggy field. Long story on why and how he came to be there is not to the point; in any case he asked me to pull him out.

So off I went with the Terrano and my 2 (!)weeks old towing strap. I did get him out without a problem, but I'd like to know if I did it correctly and safely...

What I did:
- positioned the terrano with the back end towards the back end of the van (did not dare to drive around, for fear of getting bogged down myself and because I did not want to damage the field even more)
- hooked up the strap to the towing loop under his back bumper
- hooked up the other loop on the strap to my tow hook

In the end it worked, but I don't think a tow hook is designed for this kind of towing. Or am I wrong?

[Fez_uk]

If it's light recovery (say a gentle constant pull) the towing hook is ok

But it's best practice to use maybe the tow bar actual bar.

[johnb5177]

In the absence of a Timberjack (winch tractor), my T2 does an amazing job of pulling over major trees, that require a bit of `leverage` to help gravity work....:thumb2

Using of course the Witter towbar and Dixon Bate ball/pin hitch......

[perelaar]

Well, it did work, as I said. In low range, and very very slowly, but in the end without problem at all. Will use the tow bar instead of the tow hook though in the future.
I actually bought the towing strap in case I got bogged down :)

[AlexD333]

Just make sure your not snatching at the rope, ive seen a few videos of hooks come flying backwards at you, and often,k through windows :eek:

there is a horrible winch video of a steel cable killing two bystanders too :doh :(

safety is important :cool:

everyone crapped themselves when I got my Tirfor :lol

[R1cho]

everyone crapped themselves when I got my Tirfor :lol

everyone craps themselves when you make a post about doing a mod :augie :lol:lol:lol:lol:lol

[Barrbeast]

everyone craps themselves when you make a post about doing a mod :augie :lol:lol:lol:lol:lol

:lol:lol:lol

Seriously though this video (WARNING graphic content and NSFW) is a very real reminder to be careful when doing recoveries and always use a proper recovery point designed for that purpose (towballs aren't) particularly if trying to snatch - although as shown in the video even recovery points can fail/break off :(

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ec7_1...xcrR8xJDP3U.01

Should have been a controlled winch recovery not a snatch and two spectators paid with their lives (spectators should have been well back also).

Here's my original post with wise words from some of the more experienced members.

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22172

[Lincs Mav]

Pulled a horse lorry off a field the other day. 2nd gear low slow and steady.

[firebobby]

Pulled a horse lorry off a field the other day. 2nd gear low slow and steady.

Did the horse enjoy being pulled off :augie:augie

[AlexD333]

Did the horse enjoy being pulled off :augie:augie

:lol:lol you can get arrested for thinking like that :lol:lol

[firebobby]

:lol:lol you can get arrested for thinking like that :lol:lol

What??? :augie

[Lincs Mav]

I also pulled an emergency ambulance off a school playing field a few months back with the patient onboard. Paramedics were very thankful for how smoothly I got them off the field.

[AlexD333]

I also pulled an emergency ambulance off a school playing field a few months back with the patient onboard. Paramedics were very thankful for how smoothly I got them off the field.

:clap:clap I love stories like these!

Wouldnt get the stuck up landy owners doing that now would ya :augie

Firebobby has since been arrested :thumbs

[perelaar]

I actually did see that video some time ago, scary indeed. I did not want to damage anything (not in the least my pal's van), so did it very very slowly, without snatching.

The strap I used does not have any hooks or metal parts attached.

[Fez_uk]

Just make sure your not snatching at the rope, ive seen a few videos of hooks come flying backwards at you, and often,k through windows :eek:

That's why hooks should not be used, Shackles rated higher than the strap or recovery rope should be used.

[bry]

I pulled my mates Lwb Trooper out a few weeks ago, slow n easy no drama's.I used my tow bar and his towing bracket.